This morning I want to talk to you for a few minutes about A Tale of Two Sins. We will look at then side by side and compare the outcomes; one will produce freedom and one will produce bondage, and our application point will be why those outcomes happen.

Not long ago I saw a full page magazine ad showing a Roman gladiator who was in big trouble. Somehow, he has dropped his sword and an enraged lion is in mid-lunge with jaws wide open. The crowd is on its feet watching in horror as the panic stricken gladiator tries to get away. The caption reads: “Sometimes you can afford to come in second, sometimes you can’t.”

Today we want to take a few minutes and talk to you about the 3rd aspect of Jabez’s prayer. “Please be with me in all that I do.”

Last week we talked about going to God in prayer for some really big and specific things, but the key is doing it with right motives. The next part of the Jabez prayer is asking for more territory. This is where you ask for God to enlarge your life so that you can make a greater impact for Him.

”Is is possible that God wants us to be “selfish” in our prayer life? To ask for more and more from the Lord?” For the next four weeks we will look at a passage that shows that this kind of prayer may not be as self-centered as it first might appear; but rather a supremely spiritual one that is exactly the kind of request our Father longs to hear; to pray boldly and specifically.

We are now a week into our Corporate Fast; how have things been going? Have you noticed any changes in you or around you? I want to encourage you to take this time seriously to truly seek after God. In an attempt to keep us sober minded, allow me to ask a probing question and this question will serve as the title of this message: What do you hope to accomplish?

We are seven days into a new year, a new beginning. How do you want the next 12 months to look? What do you want to accomplish? Whether you are coming off an absolutely incredible year, or an absolutely horrible year, give God praise for getting you this far, and courageously begin to cry out to Him “What’s next!?” Regardless of the type of year you have had, you will not be defined by it because God can and will do more through us if we are available to Him.

Over 2000 years ago, angels arrived and promised peace on earth and good will toward man. I think we need to ask ourselves, “Where is the peace the angels promised?” Turn on the TV and you will see story after story of a world gone crazy! Violence of every kind. All types of scandals involving people who had been entrusted as leaders. The list goes on and on. Then you factor in the stress of Christmas….

This morning we want to talk to you for a few minutes about the miracle of Christmas and how it can, and should, inpact our lives. The Miracle of Christmas as it represents two things: Deliverance, and Destiny.

When we think about the Christmas story, there are many things that we are asked to respond to This morning we want to talk to you about four responses in the Christmas story: Acceptance, Obedience, Enthusiasm, Commitment.